Rob Ninkovich on beards, the Steelers and the bye week

Credit: Nancy Lane

HAPPY TO BE HERE: Defensive end Rob Ninkovich waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Pats’ win over the Bucs on Sunday.

During this past Red Sox World Series run, the amount of beards seen in the city has grown tenfold.

The best beard on the Patriots belongs to Rob Ninkovich. Today, the defensive end was asked if his plush facial hair was a tribute to the Red Sox, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals last night to capture their eighth World Series title.

Ninkovich, who’s been supportive of the Sox, laughed.

“I mean I’ve been doing this for a couple years now, guys,” Ninkovich said. “This isn’t a Boston Red Sox beard right here. This is just a “Ninko” beard. I’ve been doing this for three years. We’ll see how many guys shave them off. I’m sure (Jacoby) Ellsbury is taking his off.”

Of course the defensive end had other things on his mind today other than beards. The Pats are prepping for the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. With their bye week coming up, Ninkovich said it’s important for the team to head into their off week with a win.

“It’s very important,” Ninkovich said. “I think right now we’re at the point where we’re really just focusing in on his game, putting all our effort into going out there to play a great four quarter game. I think last week, again, we didn’t play the way we really wanted to. Just really focusing on the things we have to do as a team to play well come Sunday.”

The Pats defense has allowed 130.8 rushing yards per game, which is ranked second to last in the NFL. Ninkovich was asked about the Steelers run game and said it’ll be important for himself and Chandler Jones to set the edge come Sunday.

“I think that they’re an explosive team on the outside,” Ninkovich. “They like to try and get the ball to the edges. We have to do a good job of setting the edge and just being strong in the running back so they just can run the ball outside.”